The law of the ex came into play as Sunderland travelled to the West Country.
Denis Smith’s two-year search for a new left back had ended with the signing of Portsmouth’s Paul Hardyman during the summer of 1989, and Hardyman enjoyed an eventful three seasons at Roker. He quickly established himself as a solid left full back with an eye for goal, and while he infamously missed a penalty in the play offs against Newcastle, had been a regular in the team that was promoted back to the top flight.
He didn’t look out of place in the First Division, however, the then 28 year-0ld found himself on the periphery of the team after Anton Rogan had been signed by Smith from Celtic to play left back – and promptly handed in a transfer request. In the days of just two subs, Hardyman didn’t feature during October, November and much of December, finding himself back into the team for Denis Smith’s final three games as manager – a home win over Portsmouth, and defeats away at Tranmere and Oxford.
As is often the case, a new manager in charge brings a clean slate, and with Malcolm Crosby in charge Hardyman found himself in the team, with Rogan more often than not playing alongside Gary Bennett in the centre of defence.
Hardyman was virtually a regular from Crosby’s first game onwards as the club struggled to stay up but also got to the FA Cup Final. Of the 27 games up until Wembley he’d started 24, missed one through injury and had come off the bench in the other two, during the heavy fixture pile up towards the end of the season, during which Sunderland played 11 games in 28 days.
So it was little wonder he was majorly frustrated when Crosby dropped Hardyman to the bench for the Cup Final, preferring to pick Kevin Ball, who’d been in and out of the team during the second half of the season, in the centre of defence alongside Bennett, with Rogan moving back to left back.
Hardyman did not take kindly to being dropped after reestablishing himself as a key player for the team, and it was no surprise during the summer he upped sticks, joining Bristol Rovers, who – like Sunderland – were plying their trade in the second division; indeed Rovers had finished 9 points and 5 places ahead of the lads in 1991-92.
By the time the two sides met on this day 33 years ago, however, neither team was firing on all cylinders. Rovers were a point off the relegation zone, and had sacked manager Dennis Rofe and replaced him with veteran coach Malcolm Allison. Sunderland, meanwhile, were just five places and seven points ahead of Bristol Rovers; a good run of four wins, two draws, and just one defeat in the last seven gave supporters some hope that things had finally clicked for Crosby.
It looked like a game Sunderland should win to boost our rediscovered playoff hopes, and within 34 minutes Sunderland were crusing with a 2-0 lead. First, David Rush had tapped in after Don Goodman’s shot hit the post, and Shaun Cunnington, set up by Brian Mooney, doubled the lead just after the half hour.
Sunderland hadn’t conceded a goal away from home for two months, the defence having tightened up considerable since a 5-2 defeat at Peterbrough in November, but future Sunderland striker Marcus Stewart broke that record with a goal before half time.
Stewart was a very highly rated young player at the time, and had already been thwarted by a superb Tony Norman save before firing under the Welshman to make it 2-1, albeit against the run of play.
The lads, however, were very well organised, with Terry Butcher in excellent form at the back, and the second half continued in much the same way as the first.
However, with the final whistle approaching, Rovers were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. Up stepped Hardyman and, with the aid of two deflections, the ball found its way into the net. 2-2, and Hardyman had dished out a bit of revenge on Malcolm Crosby.
After the game, Hardyman was in a magnaminous mood, tipping Rovers to stay up – and Sunderland to reach the play offs.
We’ll stay up. In fact, I’ll make it a double wager and bet Sunerland reach the play offs!
Hopefully, Paul didn’t place that bet – because by the season’s end Rovers were relegated as they finished rock bottom of the table, nine points adrift of safety – and Sunderland, who survived by a point thanks to Cambridge and Brentford losing at West Ham and Bristol City respectively.
Category: General Sports
